Iraq in 2003: Was it worth it?

I should preface this with a nice little quote from a friend (now at Wharton) upon his learning that I'd declared majors in English and Political Science: "So you're going to be... a professional bullshitter?" [Or, in the words of one English prof., "rhetorical slight of hand".... right.] This is not to say, of course, that I approve of boiling down either field to this less-than-classy description, but too some extent, really, that's what rhetoric is all about, though we should (and do) have to cut through the nonsense from time to time.

That said, honestly, I've got to maintain the stance I held on Monday re. "Was it worth it?" Yes, there are many times in life that we are forced to make a decision or take a stance, though we may lack the information, preparation, etc (speaking of Iraq...). Really, we could always be better prepared, particularly when it comes to making decisions. However, thankfully and with all due respect, I don't consider myself in a position in which I must make a decision, thus my abstention. I am not (again, thankfully) a politician, advisor, pundit, etc etc, that my opinion on the matter is by any means necessary or relevant at the moment, wily/flaky/cowardly/ambiguous/dissatisfying though that answer may be. ...Hey, perhaps I could be a politician. ahem. ahem.

Ok, really, though, the trouble of any debate is that there is, ideally, logic behind each side. That plus the fact that it is not yet a done deal, and I truly do not want to make a judgment call here. Some factors we can all pretty much agree on: it could have been handled more adeptly; more notable international approval would certainly not have hurt; the loss of life - both military and civilian - is always extremely sobering, as is the painful disruption of life on all sides and everything else that comes hand-in-hand with warfare and occupation. However, I imagine most also welcome the end of a blatantly destructive and repressive regime and efforts toward stability (flawed or misdirected though some may find them).

The debate of democratization is an intriguing one, and one deserving of far more than a blog post. In the midst of glorifying the democratic peace theory, one may conveniently forget the numerous other factors involved beyond governmental system and, significantly, the near chaos that threatens to reign between the dismantling of one government and the establishment of another. ...Thus, it's an argument I have more trouble getting behind, though I certainly see the logic and applaud the encouragement of human rights (socio-economic and political), freedom of speech, citizenship, and so on. And of course, if it weren't for those pesky factors of our picking and choosing where to insist upon such factors (Saudi Arabia, I'm talking to you) and the unavoidably patronizing tone with which this is undertaken...

...But it's after 3am, which somehow risks simultaneously hampering and/or increasing my propensity towards "rhetorical slight of hand," so it's best to put an end to this one and leave it as food for thought. Not waffling, mind you, just careful consideration.